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July 2007

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NOT JUST TALK

What happens when
only the journalism is left?
Follow the next steps after Journalism That Matters: The DC Sessions which took place Tues.-Wed. Aug. 7-8, 2007
George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Map of the territory of journalism in the next newsroom (drawn by Dale Peskin) from a breakout session on
education. (click photo to enlarge)

Strip away the platforms, the jobs, the institutions, and what will
sustain participatory democracy? Are we advancing to a news ecosystem more like English coffeehouses and pamphleteering
than mass media? What happens when the "press" becomes a digital "pipe"? Who controls the press then?
The action-oriented discussions known as "Journalism That Matters" came to Washington, D.C. Journalists,
academics and public advocates critiqued and built upon a upon a 21st-century newsroom prototype - and worked to
develop an economic model that supports it.

"Journalism That Matters: The Next Newsroom," took place Aug. 7-8, 2007, at The George
Washington University, Washington, D.C.

(Click on image for larger view)

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

THE THEME

"What will journalism be like when only the journalism is left?"

Journalism is at a crossroads. What will support its basic values, while
adapting its practice to new economic, social and technological realities?
Yahoo and major news organizations are aligning for the efficent sale of
advertising. Across the nation, dozens of citizens are experimenting with new
forms of local, web-based journalism and community building -- and
contemplating the potential, gradual, end of newsprint.

THE NEXT NEWSROOM PROTOTYPE

Answering that question, and setting the stage for the launching of at least
one prototype of "The Next Newsroom" is the challenge of "Journalism That
Matters: The DC Sessions."

Our goal is to facilitate critical discussion on the future and sustainability
of journalism. Our unique approach is to first assemble editors, publishers,
writers, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, public advocates, independent
and "citizen" journalists for fast, focused discussion. We'll then define the
ownership, management, location and sustainability of a "next newsroom"
prototype in at least one U.S. community, to launch in early- to mid-2008.

We're going to answer this call:

"Pick an ideal location, and start a news organization from scratch, using the
best-available technology and ideas, and without the obligations or burdens of
legacy processes or infrastructure. Where will it be, what will it look like,
who will own it, and how will it run."

THE FRAMES

We're approaching this via three "frames":

New economic models

Training and education

The pro-am relationship

As a nation, we have a difficult challenge ahead -- how to sustain independent,
watchdog journalism. It's needed more than ever to help citizens understand the
growing influence of government and corporations on our civil society. It's not
clear that a Wall Street-driven, investor-owned approach is still the best.

It's worth exploring -- and moving -- some alternatives.

On Aug. 7-8 at The George Washington University, that's what we're be doing.

JOURNALISM THAT MATTERS hosts conversations with a purpose. It engages the entire
system of journalism -- reporters, editors, publishers, camera people, photographers,
academics and audience, from newspapers, radio, television, and online media, including
both mainstream and alternative sources -- with the changing nature and definition of
news in a changing world. The point is to recommit journalism to what is fundamental
for connecting news with its audience so that it serves and sustains us.